American Airlines launches non-stop flight from Charlotte to Cuba

The flight boards at Charlotte Douglass are flashing a new destination. Wednesday morning, American Airlines will began their nonstop service from Charlotte to Havana, Cuba.

"We're just excited to finally get it up in the air tomorrow," American Airlines spokeswoman Katie Cody said.

The historic flight boarded at 8:50 a.m. Charlotte and Miami will be the only American hubs offering the nonstop Havana flight.

"This is the first time we've had commercial service to Havana in over 60 years," Cody said.

City and county leaders were expected to take the trip that's been planned for months, but are now rescheduling because of Fidel Castro's death. Cody says it took all hands on deck to make this flight happen.

"It was a group effort between the airport and government officials and the community," she said.

American Airlines will offer one nonstop flight a day to Havana, but before you book a ticket, you have to get a visa.

"There still are travel requirements to go to Cuba. You need to go and see if you qualify for one of the 12 categories of visas," Cody said.

WBTV is traveling to Havana with American Airlines and will be reporting from the country until Friday.